The party's over

The task for the final day was another multipoint bow-tie style area task of 3 hrs.  The am wx. forecast was seductive and included 4000ft. cloud base cu everywhere with a 10 knot breeze from the south, which in turn promised wonderful cloud streets and strong energy lines. However, long before the last contestant was launched reports were broadcast of towering cu and soon thereafter, lines of rain.  The launch continued but as soon as all were in the air, the CD implicitly acknowledged the southern rain threat by shortening the task time by 30 minutes. In the air each contestant was confronted with uncertain situations, most seemed to sense some urgency to start quickly but there were still 2 choices to be made. Many of the competitors chose to go as deep as possible short of the curtain of rain in the first TP.  From there they were able to turn NW and run a shelf in front of the rain line into the far end of the 2nd turn.  It was easily possible to turn back toward the 3rd turn and to run again under the shelf in front of the advancing line of rain, but unfortunately those who made this choice, found the 3rd turn point cut off by the rain.  They eventually were able to explore east almost to Houston class b airspace limitation, but no way to get back to 3rd TP.

A group of savvy contestants sorted this out and recognized that the approaching rain was going to cut off all 3 Southern TP's quickly.  Their alternative solution was dramatically different.  They wisely chose to go as early as possible, touched the nearest point of all of the 1st three TP's, then go north to the far end of the 4th TP and to find a way to get to final glide.  It must have been tough as 2nd and 3rd place finishers for the day, both failed to reach the cylinder above the designated height. 

Not enough can be said about this organization, Soaring Club of Houston. They are gracious hosts with a capable membership highly involved in its success.  The Nationals were led by the  Team of Michelle and Ken Sorenson.  Nothing was left to chance.  Stymied last year by Covid with serious concerns even this year, the event was planned optimizing the outdoor space to the max and offering meals on the field EVERY night.  If we needed something, there was a solution.  Tony Smolder was the scorer, efficient and accessible.  There are too many SCOH members involved to mention everyone.  Pilots, put this site on your bucket list.   posted by Leigh